Method and apparatus for converting chemical energy stored in wastewater

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is provided for harvesting electricity from a biofilm retained in a zero chamber, no interphase container, the biofilm having a portion supporting aerobic microbial activity and a second portion supporting anaerobic microbial activity, wherein the first and the second portion are in direct physical contact. A ground or a power harvester is electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to the second portion of the biofilm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for converting chemical energy stored in wastewater, and particularly to a zero chamber, no interface system which can provide oxidation of carbonaceous matter in the wastewater as well as selectively electrically interconnect a biofilm to a power harvester or ground.

Description of Related Art

The use of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to generate electricity from organic substances provides numerous benefits including operation at ambient temperatures and pressures. Moreover, because the oxidation reactions which occur in a MFC typically do not require aeration, MFCs generally have reduced power requirements. The lack of aeration may hamper the breakdown of organic compounds (Cheng H et al. 2015 Water Research 81(72-83) in traditional chambered MFCs).

Traditional two-chamber MFCs typically use an anode chamber and a separate cathode chamber. In general, these chambers are separated by a proton exchange membrane (PEM) and are electrically connected through an external circuit. In the anode chamber, bacteria generate electrons and gain energy for growth by oxidizing available nutrients. Electricity is then typically produced by transferring the generated electrons to the anode. Protons created as a result of the oxidation migrate through the proton exchange membrane and combine with the electrons in the presence of oxygen at the cathode to form water in the cathode chamber. In such MFCs, the electrodes may include various forms of conductive material, for example carbon paper or carbon cloth, such as those manufactured by the E-TEK Division of BASF Fuel Cell, Inc. while materials such as a sulfonated tetrafluorethylene copolymer (e.g., Nafion) may be used as exchange membranes in two-chamber MFCs. Electrodes may be further enhanced with catalysts, such as platinum (Pt), to improve their performance.

A single-chamber MFC includes an open ended chamber having both an anode and a cathode, but lacks an exchange membrane. The two electrodes are typically fixed at opposite ends of the chamber, with the anode embedded at the base of the chamber, and a two-sided cathode forming an interphase with a water-tight seal on an end of the chamber, wherein the chamber is filled with biodegradable nutrients and bacteria.

While the single-chamber MFC offers benefits over the two chamber MFC, the single-chamber MFC still requires two electrodes, typically of specialty materials. The single chamber MFC also creates the interphase, wherein one face of the cathode is exposed to the air while a second face of the cathode is exposed to the wastewater, wherein the interphase provides a passage for oxygen diffusion. In addition, the electrode spacing in these systems restricts scaling the chambers to commercial sizes or capacities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a zero compartment, no interphase fuel cell, wherein electric current is harvested from a biofilm to an electrical ground.

In one configuration, a method is provided including forming a biofilm on a substrate exposed to wastewater having dissolved oxygen, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define a gradient between aerobic microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; and electrically connecting the anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) to a power harvester.

In a further configuration, a microbial fuel cell is provided having a container for retaining a volume of wastewater, the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an electron concentration gradient between microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; a power harvester; and a first electrical conductor between the power harvester and one of (a) the biofilm and (b) the substrate.

Also provided is a microbial fuel cell having a container retaining a volume of wastewater, the container being free of a proton exchange membrane and the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an oxygen concentration gradient between microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; a power harvester; a first electrical conductor between the power harvester and one of (a) the biofilm and (b) the substrate; and a second electrical conductor between the power harvester and a ground.

In another configuration, a method is provided including forming a biofilm on a substrate exposed to wastewater having dissolved oxygen, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define a gradient between aerobic microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; and electrically connecting the anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) to at least one of a ground, an electrical resistance, an electrical load or a power harvester.

In yet another configuration, a microbial fuel cell is provided having a container for retaining a volume of wastewater, the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an electron concentration gradient between microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; and a first electrical conductor between at least a portion of the biofilm and one of (a) a ground and (b) a power harvester.

Also provided is a configuration having a microbial fuel cell having a container retaining a volume of wastewater, the container being free of a proton exchange membrane and the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an oxygen concentration gradient between microorganisms (bacteria) exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms (bacteria) proximal to the substrate; and a first electrical conductor electrically connecting the biofilm to one of (a) a ground (b) a power harvester.

The following will describe embodiments of the present disclosure, but it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications of the invention are possible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of the present disclosure is therefore to be determined solely by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the present system.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a representative substrate.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the representative substrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the representative substrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the representative substrate.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the representative substrate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation showing representative scaling.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method encompassing the present process.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an array of an alternative representative scaling.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross section of a biofilm.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an alternative configuration of the present system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “aerobic” refers to conditions in a container, or containers, where there is an amount of dissolved oxygen sufficient to sustain an aerobic microbial growth.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “anaerobic” refers to conditions in a container, or containers, where oxygen is absent or there is insufficient oxygen to (i) provide aerobic microbial activity or (ii) poison anaerobic microbial activity. Often, anaerobic conditions refer to an environment where only anaerobic microorganisms can survive.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “biofilm” refers to an aggregate of living micro-organisms which are connected and/or immobilized onto a substrate as microbial colonies. The microbes are typically embedded within a self-secreted matrix of extracellular substance. Biofilms may form on living, non-living, organic, or inorganic substrates. The present biofilms are electroactive biofilms as they possess specific electroactive properties such as electron generation.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “container” refers to vessels or reservoirs that support a biologically active microbial environment, and typically retain a volume of wastewater and/or allow for biomass conversion via microorganism metabolism within the container. A container may provide for various macro-environmental conditions, such as, but not limited to, gas content, e.g., air, oxygen (or lack of oxygen), nitrogen (or lack of nitrogen), carbon dioxide, flow rates, temperature, pH, light intensity, and agitation speed/circulation rate. Containers can be of any size, shape, or material, and of any configuration that will physically retain a sufficient volume of wastewater capable of sustaining a biofilm capable of electricity generation. Acrylic compartments, for example, are suitable for smaller, laboratory scale embodiments, while compartments made of steel may also be used in large scale production.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “electrode” refers to an anode or a cathode. The “anode” is an electrode that facilitates the oxidation, i.e., the loss of electrons, of various nutrients in biomass. For example, the wastewater may contain one or more saccharides which are oxidized by bacteria, i.e., electrogenic bacteria, at the anode. The “cathode” is an electrode that facilitates the reduction, i.e., gaining of electrons, of an oxidant, typically oxygen.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “wastewater” 70 refers to, but is not limited to, groundwater, contaminated groundwater, sewage, graywater, landfill leachate, sugar refinery waste, paper pulping waste, bakery waste, brewery waste, fluid compositions containing bacterial factors, organic matter, wood or wood waste, straw, herbaceous crops, corn stover, grass such as switch grass, or other sources of annual or perennial grass, paper or paper waste, pulp and paper mill waste, municipal and/or industrial solid wastes, and/or fluid compositions comprising bacterial factors, or any combination thereof having organic and/or inorganic compounds or materials that contain a source of energy for bacteria, e.g., electrogenic bacteria. The wastewater 70 typically contains waste contaminants that are broken down into simple sugars and other bioconstituents to support electrogenic culture growth in the present container. As such, in concert with the electrogenic cultures, the wastewater 70 provides a supply of electrons for generating electricity while sustaining electrogenic bacterial culture growth and metabolism. Further, the wastewater 70 is aerobic or oxygen carrying, having in certain configurations, a dissolved oxygen content at least 1.0 mg/L. The oxygen level is sufficient to sustain aerobic microbial activity within the container 10.

“Cultured” microorganisms include those grown and developed in any of the known growth media cultures, such as but not limited to Bennett's medium, Marine broth, Mannitol agar and nutrient agar. Culturing is performed and modified, as desired, for suitable applications requiring a particular density and/or confluence, which can be for about 1 to 50 days. For example, as known, the bacteria are cultured until a desired cell density is attained.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present system includes a container 10 and a substrate 30 supporting a biofilm 50 in a volume of wastewater 70.

In select configurations, the biofilm 50 is electrically connected to a load, such as but not limited to a power harvester 80 as set forth below. It is understood the biofilm 50 can be electrically connected to a ground, an electrical resistance or the power harvester 80.

Although not required, it is anticipated that for purposes of automation a plurality of sensors 20, such as temperature, pH, oxygen sensors, current or voltage meters can be operably connected to the wastewater (either upstream, downstream, or within the container) and/or the biofilms 50. The sensors 20 can include sensors to detect any parameter of the wastewater 70 including those above as well as chemical constituents, conductivity, sound velocity or any other characteristic of the wastewater. In select configurations, the system can further include flow control devices 24, such as valves.

In addition, select configurations can include an aerator 12 located to increase dissolved oxygen in the wastewater 70 as well as heaters 14 and chillers 16 for selectively heating or cooling the wastewater.

In these further select configurations, a controller 90 can be operably connected, either wirelessly or wired, to the sensors 20, the flow control devices 24, the aerator 12, the heaters 14, the chillers 16, and the power harvester 80.

The container 10 defines a zero chamber microbial (microorganism) fuel cell (MFC), as the container does not include membranes or electrochemical dividers. In addition, select configurations of the container 10 do not include an interphase. However, it is understood the container 10 may include or define compartments wherein the compartments are fluidly connected and share a common flow of wastewater 70. The container 10 can be formed of any of a variety of the materials including electrically conductive, such as metal or alloy or nonconductive, such as polymeric.

The container 10 includes an inlet 11 for receiving wastewater 70 and an outlet 13 for passing wastewater. The container 10 can be open topped or closed, wherein the inlet 11 and the outlet 13 are physically spaced apart in the container. It is contemplated the inlet 11 and outlet 13 can be integrally formed with the container 10 or provided by corresponding pipes providing an inlet of wastewater 70 and the outlet of wastewater. Inlet and outlet valves 24 are operably connected to the respective inlet 11 and outlet 13 for selectively controlling the flow of wastewater 70 in, or through, the container 10.

The container 10 does not include an interphase for oxygen diffusion. Thus, the container 10 does not require expensive oxygen permeable materials and can be readily scaled as it merely needs to retain a designed volume and/or flow of wastewater.

It is understood an array of containers 10 can be employed as seen in FIG. 9, wherein the flow through the containers is serial or parallel, depending in part on the constituents of the wastewater and microbial makeup of the biofilms 50. Thus, in one configuration the outlet of a first container is connected to the inlet of a second container. Alternatively, an inlet manifold can be used to distribute available wastewater to a plurality of containers. Similarly, an outlet manifold can be employed to release wastewater from the array.

The containers 10 are not constrained by different requirements of the wastewater 70. That is, no preconditioning step is required prior to introduction of a container 10 or a given container within the container array. The volume of an individual container 10 or container array can be any size as determined by the anticipated volume or flow of wastewater 70.

As set forth above, one configuration employs wastewater 70 having a material dissolved oxygen content, and particularly a content of at least 1.0 mg/L. However, it is understood, the dissolved oxygen content can be supplemented or imparted by bubbling air through the wastewater 70 prior to entering the container 10, while in the container or both prior to entering and within the container.

The flow of wastewater 70 through the container 10 can be continuous, intermittent or batch. So long as the necessary oxygen content and nutrients for the biofilm 50 are provided, the flow can be selected as desired.

The substrate 30 is selected to physically support the biofilm 50. The substrate 30 can be conductive or nonconductive. In one configuration, the substrate is a carbon fiber mesh, such as commercial material McMaster-Carr 87365K13. Alternatively, the substrate 30 can be conductive such as a wire mesh or even a sheet or a plate. As seen in FIGS. 2-7, a support 32 can be connected to a portion of the substrate 30. While the substrate 30 can include catalysts as known in the art, in the present configuration, a catalyst is not necessary, thus the substrate can be catalyst free.

While the substrate 30 is shown as a substantially planar member as seen in FIGS. 2-7, it is understood the substrate can be sufficiently flexible or bendable to be folded or convolute. In alternative constructions, a flexible planar substrate 30 can be wound or formed into a spiral profile. This increases the area/volume of biofilm relative to container volumes.

The biofilm 50 is supported by or carried by the substrate 30 and includes a first portion 52 supporting aerobic microbial activity and a second portion 54 supporting anaerobic microbial activity, wherein the first and the second portion are in direct physical contact. In one configuration, the first portion 52 of the biofilm 50 overlies the second portion 54 of the biofilm and substantially precludes exposure of the second portion to dissolved oxygen in the wastewater. In this configuration, the biofilm 50 includes an aerobic layer 52 and an anaerobic layer 54, wherein the aerobic layer is exposed to the wastewater 70 and sufficiently covers or overlays the anaerobic layer to preclude aerobic activity in the anaerobic layer. That is, the aerobic layer 52 effectively creates the anaerobic layer 54 as available oxygen cannot pass through the aerobic layer to the anaerobic layer.

In one configuration, the biofilm 50 includes electrogenic bacteria capable of moving electrons to solid phase materials including electrodes through the breakdown of organic matter, wherein the electron transfer is to the surrounding environment, i.e., an anode, rather than an electron acceptor such as oxygen. Such electrogenic bacteria are capable of completely oxidizing organic compounds to carbon dioxide or other byproducts and then transferring the electrons derived from the oxidation to a remaining portion of the biofilm. Thus, the biofilm 50 can oxidize, and hence biodegrade organic matter such carbonaceous matter found in the wastewater 70.

It is contemplated the boundary between the aerobic layer 52 and the anaerobic layer 54 may be defined by a gradient, wherein the dimension of the gradient is relatively small, less than ⅓ of the thickness of the biofilm 50. In one configuration, the biofilm 50 has a thickness between approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 0.75 mm. However, it is understood the thickness of the biofilm 50 is at least partly dictated by the content of the wastewater 70 as well as the makeup of the biofilm.

The biofilm 50 defines a free electron concentration gradient between the aerobic layer 52 and the anaerobic layer 54, as schematically shown in FIG. 10. In one configuration, this electron gradient is directly (by an electrical conductor) or indirectly (through the substrate) electrically connected to the power harvester 80. It is further contemplated the electron flow may occur from the anaerobic layer 54, as this layer acts like a conductor of electrons.

The biofilm 50 can be formed of native, cultured, wild, or any configuration of microbes.

The power harvester 80 can be a low voltage-low current harvester connected to any of a variety of commercially available devices that utilize, convert or store energy from an electron flow. A satisfactory power harvester 80 includes those sold by Morningstar Corporation of Newtown, Pa., including the SunSaver™ line of photovoltaic converters. The power harvester 80 also includes a resistive load electrically intermediate the biofilm and ground.

The electrical connection between the power harvester 80 and the biofilm 50 can be provided by an electrical conductor 84, wherein the electrical conductor extends directly from the power harvester to the biofilm, such as the anaerobic portion, or indirectly to the conductive substrate. Further, the electrical connection of the electrical conductor 84 to the biofilm 50 can be at a single contact point in the biofilm or at a plurality of contact points.

In those configurations employing an electrically conductive substrate 30, the electrical connection between the power harvester 80 and the biofilm 50 can include the substrate. Thus, the electrical connection extends between the substrate 30 and the power harvester 80. As in the direct connection to the biofilm 50, the electrical connection to the substrate 30 can be at a single contact point or through a plurality of contact points.

The biofilm 50 is electrically connected to the positive (+) terminal of the power harvester 80. The negative (−) lead of the power harvester 80 is connected to ground. A battery and load can be connected pursuant to the operating instructions of the power harvester. Thus, only a single electrical conductor 84 connects the biofilm 50 to the power harvester 80 and a second electrical conductor connection with the container 10, biofilm 50, substrate 30 or wastewater 70 is not necessary.

Referring to FIG. 10, the biofilm 50 includes a sufficient thickness to create an electrochemical barrier within the biofilm, wherein a sufficient gradient is created between the portion of the biofilm exposed to the oxygen bearing wastewater as the aerobic layer 52 and the underlying portion of the biofilm that is the anaerobic layer 54. By virtue of the oxygen gradient within the biofilm 50 and hence gradient between the aerobic microbial activity in the biofilm exposed to the wastewater 70 and the anaerobic microbial activity, an electrical potential gradient is created within the biofilm. Depending upon the substrate 30, the electric potential can be taken from the anaerobic layer 54 of the biofilm 50 or the substrate 30 (if conductive).

A specific configuration is shown in FIGS. 2-6, wherein the substrates are substantially rectangular having the upper and lower supports 32. While the present substrates 30 are shown having the supports 32, it is understood that depending on the particular material of the substrate and the intended exposure to the wastewater 70, the substrates can be self-supporting or connected to a full frame for maintaining the orientation of the substrate within the wastewater.

As stated above and shown in FIG. 7, each substrate 30 can include a plurality of electrical connections to the power harvester 80. The substrates 30, and hence biofilms 50, can be electrically connected in series or parallel in their electrical connection to the power harvester 80.

As each substrate 30 need only be electrically connected to the power harvester 80, the inclusion of additional substrates does not present any scaling issues. Further, as each substrate 30 can include a plurality of electrical connections or can include the electrical conductor 84, the size of the available substrates for a given flow rate of wastewater 70 can be readily changed.

The controller 90 is operably connected to the power harvester 80, the aerator 12, the flow controls 24, the heater/chiller 14, 16, and the sensors 20. The controller 90 can be programmed to adjust the flow of the wastewater 70 relative to the biofilms 50 as well as possible mixing of wastewater streams to provide a substantially predetermined oxygen content and nutrient content to the container 10. The controller 90 can be a dedicated processor or an applicator on a host. The generation of electrical current (or voltage) measured by the meters and monitored by the controller 90 provides an indicator of nutrient consumption (and hence nutrient availability). The controller 90 can then increase flow of wastewater 70 to the biofilms 50 to increase nutrient availability or decrease flow of wastewater to increase percentage of nutrients consumed. Similarly, the controller 90 monitoring the temperature, oxygen level and pH can make corresponding adjustments to the temperature parameters to increase or maintain an efficiency of the system.

The controller 90 can be programmed to provide specific actions in response to predetermined readings from the sensors 20. For example, if the pH of the wastewater 70 is outside a predetermined range, the controller 90 can prompt the addition of alkaline or basic material to adjust the pH, particularly in view of monitored flow rate and microbial activity.

In operation, the wastewater 70 and the substrate 30 are located within the container 10 to contact the substrate with the wastewater. As the biofilm 50 can be formed from wild microbes, sufficient exposure time is provided between the wastewater 70 and the substrate 30 to develop the biofilm having an aerobic layer overlying an anaerobic layer.

The biofilm 50 develops to define the aerobic layer 52 exposed to the dissolved oxygen and nutrients in the wastewater 70, wherein the aerobic layer overlies a layer of developing anaerobic microbes. As the oxygen gradient is created in the biofilm 50, an electrochemical barrier is effectively formed within the biofilm and an electrical potential gradient is created across the thickness of the biofilm.

The electrical conductor 84 either directly electrically connects the biofilm 50, such as the anaerobic layer 54, to the power harvester 80 or indirectly electrically connects the biofilm via the substrate 30, and to the power harvester. A ground lead is then connected to the power harvester 80. It is contemplated the ground lead of the power harvester 80 can be electrically connected to the container 10 or the wastewater 70.

The wastewater 70 is then exposed to the biofilm 50 either in continuous, intermittent or batch flows.

The electrons harvested from the biofilm 50 generate an electrical current which is captured by the power harvester 80. Therefore, in contrast to prior MFC, including single chamber configurations, the present system does not employ a membrane, such as a proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). As the container 10 is free of a PEM, the cost as well as the complexity of the physical system is reduced. As the present electron potential is created within the biofilm 50 itself, rather than across discrete electrodes as in prior designs, there is no decrease in performance of the present system from biofilm growth on a cathode surface.

Further, as the present system is operable in a zero chamber configuration, there is no need for separate containers or barriers to harvest the power.

In addition, as the present system employs a single electrical connection to the container 10, the increased cost and complexity of electrode pairs for each container is removed. That is, the present system does not require a separate anode and cathode. The lack of a separate anode and cathode further reduces the cost and complexity of the present system.

Though not meant to be bound to any theory of the operation, it is believed the separate electrodes and membranes of the prior devices are functionally equivalent to the created electrochemical gradient across the thickness of the biofilm 50, between the aerobic layer 52 and the anaerobic layer 54 of the biofilm 50, as shown schematically in FIG. 10. The surface of the biofilm 50 is in contact with the oxygen dissolved in the wastewater, while the bottom of the biofilm, which is in contact with the anode, develops an oxygen deficiency caused by the bacteria within the overlying biofilm. The aerobic bacteria consume oxygen during their normal respiration, shielding the interior of the biofilm 50 from the available oxygen in the wastewater. This forms an oxygen concentration gradient between the surface layer and the underlying layer of the biofilm 50, as well as an electron concentration gradient, with electrons flowing into the biofilm from the surface of the biofilm. The specific profile of the oxygen and electron gradients are at least partly determined by the development of the biofilm as well as the oxygen content of the wastewater 70. The gradients shown are merely representative.

Filamentous bacteria, acting as electron shunts across the biofilm 50, facilitate the electron flow from the surface of the biofilm towards the anode, creating an electron-rich zone at the cathode of the zero chamber MFC. The present system thus takes advantage of the recognition that an electrochemical gradient exists within a biofilm 50, wherein an electrical current can be harvested.

In a further configuration, as seen in FIG. 11, the biofilm 50 is electrically connected to the electrical conductor 84 which is in turn electrically connected to ground. In this configuration, the electron flow through the electrical conductor 84 is sufficient to maintain the necessary biological activity of the biofilm 50.

It is contemplated the electrical conductor 84 can provide the contact with the ground by connection with at least one of the container, the wastewater 70, a ground terminal as well as through the power harvester 80. It is believed the contact of the electrical conductor 84 with ground provides sufficient load to maintain the oxidation of organic matter by the biofilm 50. In one configuration, the electrical conductor 84 is grounded to a ground other than the wastewater 70, the container or the power harvester. Thus, the electrical conductor 84 is grounded external to the wastewater 70, the container 10 or the power harvester 80.

In this configuration, the controller 90 is operably connected to the aerator 12, the flow controls 24, the heater/chiller 14, 16 and the sensors 20. The controller 90 can also be electrically connected to the electrical conductor 84, as the electrical conductor is connected to ground, thus acting as a ground lead for the power harvester 80. The controller 90 in this configuration can be configured and function as set forth above.

The present system further provides oxidation of biodegradable matter in the wastewater 70. That is, this biofilm 50 can provide bioremediation of the wastewater 70 including oxidizing carbonaceous biological matter. It is contemplated the biofilm 50 may also oxidize nitrogenous matter, expressly ammonium as well as removing nutrients from the wastewater 70. The removal of ammonia is complete, below the detection limit of conventional ammonia detection tests.

For example, the biofilm 50 has been found to oxidize Phenol (95% removal efficiency, % R), and Aniline (90% R) as found in wastewater. The degradation of Sulphamethoxazole, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been reported to occur in biofilms (Wang L et al. 2016 Water Research 88:322-328).

Prior membrane based, aerated bioreactors are costly in creation, maintenance, and operation. It has been found the present biofilm 50 (typically with substrate 30) forms an open system that can be operated in a variety of activated sludge environments to provide the oxidization. Thus, the substrate 30 and biofilm 50 can be inserted or dropped into an existing activated sludge environment or wastewater stream to provide the oxidization of the organic matter, and hence generation of electricity (if employed with a power harvester 80), without requiring barriers in the cell, such as PEMs or interphases.

The present system provides a single electrode in contact with the wastewater 70 or the container 10, wherein only a ground is necessary, such as (i) through the power harvester 80 to harvest power in the form of an electron flow from the biofilm 50; or (ii) directly to an external ground. In one configuration, the anode is covered with the biofilm 50 and the effective cathode is an electric ground. The zero-compartments MFC has one electrode, the anode, and no distinct compartments or interphase. The anode is covered by the biofilm 50, and the “virtual” cathode is an electric ground. An electric current between the anode and ground is created by oxidation reactions occurring within the biofilm, wherein the ground can be a direct grounding, an external ground or via the power harvester 80.

This disclosure has been described in detail with particular reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A method comprising: (a) forming a biofilm on a substrate exposed to wastewater having dissolved oxygen, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define a gradient between aerobic microorganisms exposed to the wastewater and anaerobic microorganisms proximal to the substrate; and (b) grounding the biofilm.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein grounding the biofilm includes connecting an electrical conductor to the biofilm and an external ground.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein grounding the biofilm includes connecting an electrical conductor to the biofilm and a ground.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein grounding the biofilm includes electrically connecting the substrate to a ground.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of wastewater is independent of a PEM membrane.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of wastewater is independent of a catalyst.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the container is independent of an interphase for oxygen diffusion.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wastewater is organic.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein grounding the biofilm includes electrically connecting a portion of the anaerobic microorganisms to a ground.
 10. A microbial fuel cell comprising: (a) a container for retaining a volume of wastewater, the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; (b) a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an electron concentration gradient between microorganisms exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms proximal to the substrate; and (c) a first electrical conductor between a ground and one of (i) the biofilm and (ii) the substrate.
 11. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the substrate is conducting.
 12. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the substrate is non-conducting.
 13. The microbial fuel cell of claim 11, wherein the ground is external to the container and the wastewater.
 14. The microbial fuel cell of claim 11, wherein the ground is electrically connected to the container.
 15. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the container is independent of a proton exchange membrane.
 16. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the container is independent of a catalyst.
 17. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the container is independent of an interphase for oxygen diffusion.
 18. The microbial fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the container is independent of a membrane compartment.
 19. A microbial fuel cell comprising: (a) a container retaining a volume of wastewater, the container being free of a proton exchange membrane and the wastewater including dissolved oxygen; (b) a substrate at least partially submerged in the wastewater, the substrate supporting a biofilm exposed to the volume of organic wastewater, the biofilm having a sufficient thickness to define an oxygen concentration gradient between microorganisms exposed to the wastewater and microorganisms proximal to the substrate wherein the gradient is sufficient to generate sufficient free electrons; and (c) a first electrical conductor between a ground and one of (a) the biofilm and (b) the substrate.
 20. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the substrate is conducting.
 21. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the substrate is non-conducting.
 22. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the ground is one of (i) the container and (ii) external to the container and the wastewater.
 24. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the ground lead is a common electrical ground
 25. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the chamber is independent of a proton exchange membrane.
 26. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the chamber is independent of a catalyst.
 27. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the chamber is independent of an interphase for oxygen diffusion.
 28. The microbial fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the chamber is independent of a membrane compartment. 